Cubs possess commanding 2-0 series lead
In last’s week’s wild-card victory over the Mets, Madison Bumgarner delivered a performance for the ages. He’ll probably need to be just as dominant tonight if the Giants want to extend the NLDS.
San Francisco hosts the Cubs at 9:30 p.m. ET, with handicappers professing their allegiance to the living postseason legend. Online sports book Bovada.lv recognizes Bruce Bochy’s group as a 1.5-run favorite, whereas Chicago represents a +120 underdog. The over/under figure rests at six.
Having lost two straight in the Windy City, the Giants will once again ask Bumgarner to rule the mound. The 2014 World Series MVP twirled a four-hitter mere days ago, pushing his playoff record to 8-3 with a 1.94 ERA. He’s also specialized in muzzling the Cubbies, going 8-2 with a 1.02 WHIP in 12 career starts against them.
Joe Maddon, though, boasts the reigning Cy Young winner on his side. Jake Arrieta, who is 4-2 with a 1.82 ERA in six lifetime outings vs. San Francisco, makes his first appearance since Sept. 28. He was outdueled by Bumgarner last month at Wrigley Field.
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Bochy’s club continues to struggle at the plate, but the combination of Bumgarner’s presence on the rubber and a raucous environment at AT&T Park could well breathe life into the dormant bats of Buster Posey and Hunter Pence, among others. While it’s perhaps unfair to expect yet another gem from No. 40, the North Carolina native almost always finds a way to get the job done. We’ll enjoy a Game 4 tomorrow evening.
MONDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS/GIANTS UNDER 6 RUNS